Holder for refuse cans

ABSTRACT

A new and improved refuse can holding apparatus permits easy removal and mounting of associated refuse cans, maintaining the cans in a stable relation with respect thereto while such cans are mounted. A new and improved apparatus for securing the device with respect to its associated mounting base is provided. The base may be supported by either a foundation, which is embedded in the ground, or a base which is mounted with respect to the floor or ground.

United States Patent Reese 51 July 11,1972

[54] HOLDER FOR REFUSE CANS [72] Inventor: Murray C. Reese, 7423 Stanwick, Harris County, Tex. 77017 [22] Filed: May 28, 1970 21 App]. No.: 41,241

[52] US. Cl ..211/7l, 248/154, 248/156, 248/D1G. 7 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47g 29/00, A45f 3/44 [58] FieldoiSearch ..211/71G,71C,7l;248/l54, 248/156, 361 A, 188.7, DIG. 7, 146; 52/298 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 511,308 12/1893 Mueller ..248/1 88.7 598,862 2/1898 Donica ..248/l56 X 1,970,178 8/1934 Michlun ..248/154 2,554,887 5/1951 Tricarico ..248/156 X 2,929,512 3/1960 McDougle ..211/71 3,173,547 3/1965 Alissandratos.. ....2l1/71 3,219,195 11/1965 Mlze ..21l/71 3,279,619 10/1966 Alissandratos ..21l/71 3,423,102 1/1969 Heldenbrand ..21 1/71 3,498,576 3/1970 Alissandratos.... 21 1/71 3,527,355 9/1970 Boyer ..21 1/71 3,178,142 4/1965 Koch 248/156X 3,240,459 3/1966 Spohn 248/156 X Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Abraham Frankel AltorneyPravel, Wilson & Matthews 57 ABSTRACT A new and improved refuse can holding apparatus permits easy removal and mounting of associated refuse cans, maintaining the cans in a stable relation with respect thereto while such cans are mounted.

A new and improved apparatus for securing the device with respect to its associated mounting base is provided. The base may be supported by either a foundation, which is embedded in the ground, or a base which is mounted with respect to the floor or ground.

sclamsnmwm rigum PATENTEDJUL 11 I972 3. 675.783

Murray (1 Reeve INVENTOR plume! Wlbzm & MaHLewA ATTORNEYS 1 HOLDER FOR REFUSE CANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to holding devices for refuse cans, garbage cans, trash cans or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the prior art, it was known to mount trash or refuse cans on racks or supports in order that the cans were elevated with respect to the floor or ground, to prevent animals from tilting the cans or knocking the cans over and thereby spilling the trash contained in the can.

However, the prior art supports and holders were undesirable and suffered deficiencies and shortcomings which the support and holder of the present invention overcomes.

The apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 2,929,512 provided a narrow U-shaped yoke mounted with respect to an upright support wherein the handles of the cans being held were mounted. The narrow U-shaped yoke was unsuitable for holding a plurality of handles and inadequate space was provided for grasping the handles when a plurality of the handles were mounted within such yoke.

The apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,937,760, was adapted for holding trash cans with a special configuration handle and thus was not suitable for use with the more widely utilized trash cans, which have diametrically opposed hand grips, pivotally mounted with respect to the cylindrical wall of the can intermediate the ends of such wall. The handles of the cans were mounted with respect to hook-shaped holding members at the top of the holder. The hook-shaped holding members made removal or mounting of the can with respect to the holders difficult, particularly when the cans were filled, requiring a horizontal movement as well as a vertical lifting movement of the can in order for the handle of such can to be disengaged with respect to the holding member. The two step lifting movement was undesirable since the user would frequently mash his fingers or bruise his knuckles during removal or storage of such cans between the handle of the can and the hook-shaped holding member. Additionally, the bolts holding arcuate base supports for the cans loosened with use of the apparatus over a period of time and often became rusted due to adverse outside weather.

The apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 3,091,342 required a hasp lock on the holder which prevented easy removal or insertion of the handles of the cans when such cans were being mounted or removed. The handle of a can which was held by the device was in a stacked relation with respect to the handles of other cans being held, and thus was a cumbersome and difficult task to remove a can whose handle was not topmost in the stack of handles within the holder.

The apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 3,219,195 provided horizontally disposed U-shaped lip devices for holding the handles of the cans, which devices were specifically designed to tightly and firmly engage the handles and thereby prevent quick and easy removal of the cans being held.

The apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 3,279,619 utilized a base bracket extending laterally with respect to a post to support the base of the can, with a J-shaped upper support for the handles of the cans. The J-shaped support was mounted with respect to the post at a position intermediate the ends thereof, which made the handles of the cans difficult to reach when the can had been mounted with respect to the support, and the user often banged his knuckles and pinched his fingers when mounting or removing the can in the support, due to the small space between the post and the cradle of the J-shaped support.

The apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 3,288,306 utilized laterally extending members for holding the handles of the mounted cans, similar to those of U.S. Pat. No. 3,219,195, mounted with their holding portion intermediate the ends of the upright support post, which required an undesirable two-step, horizontal and vertical, lifting movement. Additionally, the supported base was removably exteriorly mounted with respect to an anchor post in a telescoping manner by a single LII set screw, which often loosened and caused the holder to be unstable, particularly when the cans were filled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the present invention, a new and improved support and holding device for refuse cans is provided wherein a post, removably secured at its base with respect to a support which may be either a concrete foundation or a base member, has a horizontally extending flange mounted with respect thereto and extending laterally therefrom. A stirrup member is mounted with respect to the ends of such flange, at a distance preselected to allow the user of the apparatus to grasp the handles of the cans and mount or remove such cans with respect to the support and holder with minimized risk of bruising his knuckles or pinching his hands or fingers between the handle and the holder while using the device. Additionally, the support is suitably linked with respect to the base member by chains or other suitable linking means to prevent pranksters or the like from removing the support from the base member.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved support and holder for refuse cans.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support and holder for refuse cans wherein the'handles of the cans to be mounted with respect thereto are easily accessible to permit easy removal and mounting of the cans to the holder.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a support and holder for refuse cans which is removably secured with respect to an associated mounting base, and yet is highly stable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an elevational view of the refuse can support and holder device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the support and holder device of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an alternative supporting base for the apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings, the letter H designates generally one embodiment of a holder device for supporting and holding a plurality of cans of refuse, trash, garbage or the like at a distance above the ground or floor to prevent pets or other animals from spilling the contents.

A plurality of cans 10 and 10a, each comprising a base 11, a cylindrical wall member 12, a top 13 with associated handle 13a, and a plurality of grasping handles 14 and 14a, pivotally mounted to attaching members 15 and 150, respectively, are illustrated mounted with respect to the holding device H of the present invention, intermediate the upper end 1211 and lower end 12b of the cylindrical wall member 12.

The holding device I-l comprises a supporting base member B which includes a foundation, plug, or block, of concrete 20 embedded in a suitable hole in the earth 21. An opening 200 of the same configuration as an upright support standard 25, referred to hereinbelow, is formed in the block 20 for insertion of a lower end 25a of such support member.

The upright support member 25 may be cylindrical in cross section, as shown, rectangular, square or other configuration, depending upon the structural member being used as the upright support 25. A plurality of arcuate engaging members 27 and 28 are mounted with respect to the upright support 25 intermediate the ends thereof. The arcuate members 27 and 28 are mounted with respect to the support 25 at an intermediate portion 27a and 28a (FIG. 2) by welding or other suitable means in order to provide a sturdy and long lasting support for the cans l0 and 10a. The welded mounting is more resistant to rusting due to wet weather than are the prior art threaded connections.

A mounting flange 30 is mounted with respect to an upper end 251: of the upright support member 25, preferably by welding, or by other suitable techniques, extending laterally from the upper end 25b and forms an angle A (FIG. 2) between such mounting flange and the vertical axis of the upright support, shown in FIG. 1 and 2 as a right angle.

A plurality of stirrups 38 and 39 are formed at the corresponding outer ends 300 and 30b, respectively, of the mounting flange 30, with each stirrup comprising a first vertical flange 38a and 39a mounted at an upper end to the outer ends 3041 and 30b, respectively, extending substantially vertically downwardly therefrom. First horizontal handle supporting members 38b and 3911 are mounted with respect to the lower ends of the first vertical flanges 38a and 39a, respectively, and extend horizontally therefrom; and second vertical flange members 38c and 390, mounted at a lower end with respect to the horizontal handle supporting member 38b and 39b, respectively, and extend vertically therefrom.

I have found that the accessibility of the handles of the cans being held can be greatly enhanced over the accessibility of cans in prior art holding devices by extending the ends 300 and 30b of the mounting flange 30 a preselected distance X (FIG. 1), for example one or two inches, beyond the upright support member 25, in order to allow the user sufiicient space for passage of his hand when grasping the handle 14a during mounting or removal of the can from the holder H.

In FIG. 2, a plurality of engaging ends 27b and 270, of arcuate member 27, together with engaging ends 28b and 28c of arcuate member 28, are shown. The engaging ends may have knobs, bumpers or padding affixed thereto to prevent scuffing or puncturing of the mounted cans, and serve as a pivot about which the mounted cans may rotate outwardly as they become increasingly loaded during use. As such pivotal rotation occurs, the arm 14a of the mounted can is drawn outwardly with respect to the upright support until the arm 14a engages the vertical flange 390. The outward movement of the arm 14a further increases the clearance for passage of the users hands provided by the holding device of the present invention, and further firmly engages the cans being held in a stable position when the cans are mounted with respect thereto.

Additionally, I have found in some situations it may be desirable to further enhance the accessibility of the handles 14 of the cans mounted with respect to the holder H by mounting each half of the flange at an angle A A (shown in phantom in FIGS. 2) less than the right angle illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The flange 30 would then comprise two flanges mounted with respect to each other along a line C (FIG. 2), and extending downwardly outwardly from the upper end 25b of the upright support 25, defining the angle A as an acute angle.

Also, in other situations, it may be desirable to further enhance the accessibility of the handles 14 of the cans mounted with respect to the holder H by use of an alternative flange 30 (not shown) comprising a first portion extending horizontally outwardly with respect to the upright support member, and a second portion mounted with respect to the outer end of the first portion, extending downwardly, outwardly therefrom at an acute angle with respect to the vertical axis ofthe upright support member 25.

An alternative base member B for a holder H of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3, comprising a support stand member 22, which may be cruciform, as illustrated, circular, rectangular, square, or any other desired configuration, and a sleeve member 23, extending vertically with respect to said stand a distance Y, enclosing the lower end 25a of upright support member 25. The distance Y is preferably from ten to fifteen inches to insure a stable enclosure of the upright support member 25. The support stand member 22 may be mounted on a floor, if the holder H of the present invention is desired for indoor storage of garbage cans, or may be mounted on the ground for outdoor use of the holder H.

A lug 23a is mounted with respect to the sleeve member 23, extending radially therefrom, and has: an eyelet formed therein for passage therethrough of a chain 50 or other suitable means for linking the base member to an eyelet formed in a lug 25c extending perpendicularly from the lower end 25a of the upright support member 25. If desired, a plurality of lugs 23a may be formed at different elevations along the exterior of the sleeve member 23 to allow connection of the chain 50 to lugs 25c at different elevations on varying length support members 25 as such members are inserted in the sleeve 23.

A ring clasp 51 is connected at an end 50a of the linking means 50 opposite the lug 23a and engages the lug 25c to connect the base member B to the upright support member 25 and prevent removal of the support member from the base by pranksters, vandals or the like.

The base member B in FIG. 1 may be similarly linked with respect to the upright support member 25. A ring (20b) is partially embedded in the foundation 20, and a chain is mounted with respect thereto. A ring clasp at the opposite end of the chain engages a lug similar to lug 25c extending perpendicularly from the upright support member 25.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A holder device for refuse, garbage and trash cans, said refuse, garbage, and trash cans having handles, comprising:

a. supporting means including a supporting base member,

comprising:

1. a stand member for mounting on the floor or ground;

and

2. a sleeve member extending substantially vertically from said stand member, said sleeve member for telescopingly engaging the exterior of an upright support standard;

b. an upright support standard telescopingly engaged at its lower end within said sleeve member in said base member;

c. a mounting flange mounted with respect to an upper end of said upright support standard and extending laterally from said upper end, and forming an angle between said laterally extending flange and the vertical axis of said upright support standard, said flange extending laterally beyond said upright support standard a preselected distance to allow unencumbered passage of the users hand when grasping the handles and mounting or removing the cans;

d. stirrups for holding the handle of the cans, said stirrups being mounted with respect to the outer ends of said mounting flange, said stirrups comprising:

i. a first vertical flange mounted at an upper end with respect to the outer end of said mounting flange and extending substantially vertically downwardly therefrom;

2. a first horizontal handle supporting member mounted at a first end with respect to said first vertical flange and extending substantially horizontally outwardly therefrom, said first handle supporting member receiving the handle of the can;

3. a second vertical flange mounted at a lower end with respect to a second end of said supporting member and extending substantially vertically upwardly therefrom to prevent removal of the can without an upward lift on the handle by an individual;

e. arcuate engaging members for engaging the walls of the cans below the handle of the cans while being held by said first horizontal handle supporting member and said second vertical flange, said arcuate engaging members being fixedly mounted at their center portion to an intermediate portion of said upright support member;

f. a lug having an eyelet formed therein, mounted on the exterior surface of said sleeve member, extending perpendicularly therefrom;

g. a locking lug having an eyelet formed therein, mounted on the exterior surface of said upright support standard, extending perpendicularly therefrom; and

h. means for locking said upright support standard to said supporting base member, comprising means for releasably connecting said eyelet of said locking lug to said lug mounted on said sleeve member.

2. The structure of claim 1, further including:

said mounting flange extending substantially horizontally laterally from said upper end of said upright support standard, forming a right angle between said laterally extending flange and the vertical axis of said upright support standard.

3. The structure of claim 1, further including:

said mounting flange extending substantially downwardly outwardly laterally from said upper end of said upright support standard, forming an acute angle between said laterally extending flange and the vertical axis of said upright support. 4. The structure of claim 1, wherein said mounting flange comprises:

c. a first interior portion extending substantially downwardly outwardly laterally from said upper end of said upright support standard and forming an acute angle between said laterally extending flange and the vertical axis of said upright support standard; and

c. a second portion mounted at an outer end of, and extending downwardly outwardly with respect to first vertical flange of said first interior portion of said flange, said stirrups being mounted at an end of said second portion opposite said first portion.

5. The structure of claim 1, wherein: said arcuate engaging members having engaging ends formed thereon, said engaging ends serving as pivots about which the cans may rotate outwardly during use, drawing the handles of the cans outwardly with respect to said support standard to further increase the clearance for passage of the users hands.

6. A holder device for refuse, garbage and trash cans, said refuse, garbage, and trash cans having handles, comprising:

a. supporting means including a supporting base member, said base member including a concrete foundation member, said base member being embedded in the ground and having an opening formed therein for insertion therein of an upright support standard;

b. an upright support standard telescopingly engaged at its lower end within said opening in said base member;

c. a mounting flange mounted with respect to an upper end of said upright support standard and extending laterally from said upper end, and forming an angle between said laterally extending flange and the vertical axis of said upright support standard, said flange extending laterally beyond said upright support standard a preselected distance to allow unencumbered passage of the user's hand when grasping the handles and mounting or removing the cans;

d. stirrups for holding the handle of the cans, said stirrups being mounted with respect to the outer ends of said mounting flange, said stirrups comprising:

- l. a first vertical flange mountedat an upper end with respect to the outer end of said mounting flange and extending substantially vertically downwardly therefrom;

2. a first horizontal handle supporting member mounted at a first end with respect to said first vertical flange and extending substantially horizontally outwardly therefrom, said first handle supporting member receiving the handle of the can; and

3. a second vertical flange mounted at a lower end with respect to a second end of said supporting member and extending substantially vertically upwardly therefrom to prevent removal of the can without an upward lift on the handle by an individual;

e. arcuate engaging members for engaging the walls of the cans below the handle of the cans while being held by said first horizontal handle supporting member and said second vertical flange, said arcuate engaging members being fixedly mounted at their center portion to an intermediate portion of said ugright support member; f. a metal ring, partially em e ded in said concrete foundation member and forming an eyelet above the embedded portion;

g. a locking lug having an eyelet formed therein, mounted on the exterior surface of said upright support standard, extending perpendicularly therefrom; and

h. means for locking said upright support standard to said supporting base member, comprising means for releasably connecting said eyelets of said locking lug to said metal ring embedded in said concrete foundation member. 

1. A holder device for refuse, garbage and trash cans, said refuse, garbage, and trash cans having handles, comprising: a. supporting means including a supporting base member, comprising:
 1. a stand member for mounting on the floor or ground; and
 2. a sleeve member extending substantially vertically from said stand member, said sleeve member for telescopingly engaging the exterior of an upright support standard; b. an upright support standard telescopingly engaged at its lower end within said sleeve member in said base member; c. a mounting flange mounted with respect to an upper end of said upright support standard and extending laterally from said upper end, and forming an angle between said laterally extending flange and the vertical axis of said upright support standard, said flange extending lateralLy beyond said upright support standard a preselected distance to allow unencumbered passage of the user''s hand when grasping the handles and mounting or removing the cans; d. stirrups for holding the handle of the cans, said stirrups being mounted with respect to the outer ends of said mounting flange, said stirrups comprising:
 1. a first vertical flange mounted at an upper end with respect to the outer end of said mounting flange and extending substantially vertically downwardly therefrom;
 2. a first horizontal handle supporting member mounted at a first end with respect to said first vertical flange and extending substantially horizontally outwardly therefrom, said first handle supporting member receiving the handle of the can;
 3. a second vertical flange mounted at a lower end with respect to a second end of said supporting member and extending substantially vertically upwardly therefrom to prevent removal of the can without an upward lift on the handle by an individual; e. arcuate engaging members for engaging the walls of the cans below the handle of the cans while being held by said first horizontal handle supporting member and said second vertical flange, said arcuate engaging members being fixedly mounted at their center portion to an intermediate portion of said upright support member; f. a lug having an eyelet formed therein, mounted on the exterior surface of said sleeve member, extending perpendicularly therefrom; g. a locking lug having an eyelet formed therein, mounted on the exterior surface of said upright support standard, extending perpendicularly therefrom; and h. means for locking said upright support standard to said supporting base member, comprising means for releasably connecting said eyelet of said locking lug to said lug mounted on said sleeve member.
 2. a sleeve member extending substantially vertically from said stand member, said sleeve member for telescopingly engaging the exterior of an upright support standard; b. an upright support standard telescopingly engaged at its lower end within said sleeve member in said base member; c. a mounting flange mounted with respect to an upper end of said upright support standard and extending laterally from said upper end, and forming an angle between said laterally extending flange and the vertical axis of said upright support standard, said flange extending lateralLy beyond said upright support standard a preselected distance to allow unencumbered passage of the user''s hand when grasping the handles and mounting or removing the cans; d. stirrups for holding the handle of the cans, said stirrups being mounted with respect to the outer ends of said mounting flange, said stirrups comprising:
 2. a first horizontal handle supporting member mounted at a first end with respect to said first vertical flange and extending substantially horizontally outwardly therefrom, said first handle supporting member receiving the handle of the can;
 2. The structure of claim 1, further including: said mounting flange extending substantially horizontally laterally from said upper end of said upright support standard, forming a right angle between said laterally extending flange and the vertical axis of said upright support standard.
 2. a first horizontal handle supporting member mounted at a first end with respect to said first vertical flange and extending substantially horizontally outwardly therefrom, said first handle supporting member receiving the handle of the can; and
 3. a second vertical flange mounted at a lower end with respect to a second end of said supporting member and extending substantially vertically upwardly therefrom to prevent removal of the can without an upward lift on the handle by an individual; e. arcuate engaging members for engaging the walls of the cans below the handle of the cans while being held by said first horizontal handle supporting member and said second vertical flange, said arcuate engaging members being fixedly mounted at their center portion to an intermediate portion of said upright support member; f. a metal ring, partially embedded in said concrete foundation member and forming an eyelet above the embedded portion; g. a locking lug having an eyelet formed therein, mounted on the exterior surface of said upright support standard, extending perpendicularly therefrom; and h. means for locking said upright support standard to said supporting base member, comprising means for releasably connecting said eyelets of said locking lug to said metal ring embedded in said concrete foundation member.
 3. The structure of claim 1, further including: said mounting flange extending substantially downwardly outwardly laterally from said upper end of said upright support standard, forming an acute angle between said laterally extending flange and the vertical axis of said upright support.
 3. a second vertical flange mounted at a lower end with respect to a second end of said supporting member and extending substantially vertically upwardly therefrom to prevent removal of the can without an upward lift on the handle by an individual; e. arcuate engaging members for engaging the walls of the cans below the handle of the cans while being held by said first horizontal handle supporting member and said second vertical flange, said arcuate engaging members being fixedly mounted at their center portion to an intermediate portion of said upright support member; f. a lug having an eyelet formed therein, mounted on the exterior surface of said sleeve member, extending perpendicularly therefrom; g. a locking lug having an eyelet formed therein, mounted on the exterior surface of said upright support standard, extending perpendicularly therefrom; and h. means for locking said upright support standard to said supporting base member, comprising means for releasably connecting said eyelet of said locking lug to said lug mounted on said sleeve member.
 4. The structure of claim 1, wherein said mounting flange comprises: c. a first interior portion extending substantially downwardly outwardly laterally from said upper end of said upright support standard and forming an acute angle between said laterally extending flange and the vertical axis of said upright support standard; and c. a second portion mounted at an outer end of, and extending downwardly outwardly with respect to first vertical flange of said first interior portion of said flange, said stirrups being mounted at an end of said second portion opposite said first portion.
 5. The structure of claim 1, wherein: said arcuate engaging members having engaging ends formed thereon, said engaging ends serving as pivots about which the cans may rotate outwardly during use, drawing the handles of the cans outwardly with respect to said support standard to further increase the clearance for passage of the user''s hands.
 6. A holder device for refuse, garbage and trash cans, said refuse, garbage, and trash cans having handles, comprising: a. supporting means including a supporting base member, said base member including a concrete foundation member, said base member being embedded in the ground and having an opening formed therein for insertion therein of an upright support standard; b. an upright support standard telescopingly engaged at its lower end within said opening in said base member; c. a mounting flange mounted with respect to an upper end of said upright support standard and extending laterally from said upper end, and formIng an angle between said laterally extending flange and the vertical axis of said upright support standard, said flange extending laterally beyond said upright support standard a preselected distance to allow unencumbered passage of the user''s hand when grasping the handles and mounting or removing the cans; d. stirrups for holding the handle of the cans, said stirrups being mounted with respect to the outer ends of said mounting flange, said stirrups comprising: 